Cosmetic container or the like



July 2, 1957 R. B. HOPGOOD ccsMETIc CONTAINER 0R THE LIKE Filed Fb. 15. 1955 l Z5' I INVENTOIL TTONEKS United States PatentH COSMETIC CONTAINER R THE LIKE Robert B. Hopgood, Cheshire, Conn., assiguor to The Eyelet Specialty Company,tWatei-bury, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application February 15, 1955, Serial No. 438,251

7 Claims. (Cl. 20o-56) My invention relates to cosmetic containers or the like, of the variety in which a carrier is propelled by cooperating cam slots or grooves on relatively rotatable inner and outer tubular members.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved container construction of the character indicated.

It is another object to provide a cosmetic container inherently characterized by no end play or rattle between relatively rotatable parts.

It is a further object to provide an improved container construction in which the parts may inherently be assembled with greater precision.

Other objects and various further features of novelty and invention will be pointed out or will occur to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, which show, for illustrative purposes only, preferred forms of the invention:

Fig. l is a perspective View of a cosmetic container incorporating features of the invention, parts being broken away and shown in section in order to reveal internal details.

Fig. 2 is a side View in elevation of the container of Fig. 1, parts being broken away and sectioned in the plane 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the parts of Fig. l, before roll-up into tubular form;

Figs. 4 and 5 are views similar to Figs. l and 2 but illustrating a modification, the sectioning in Fig. 5 being in the plane 5-5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail illustrating a modification of the part of Fig. 3.

Briey stated, my invention contemplates a cosmetic container construction in which end play between relatively rotatable parts may be eliminated, without impairing operation of the device, and at the same time enabling a more precise assembly of the parts. In the forms to be described, the cosmetic container comprises essentially a carrier, and inner and outer tubular members with cam slots to propel the carrier on relative rotation. One of the tubular members is formed with radially projecting, circumferentially extending means at two longitudi nally spaced locations, determining locating limits for the other tubular member. The main body ofthe other tubular member is of a longitudinal extent short of the spacing between such locating projections, and I provide, at a locally weakened and longitudinally yresilient portion of said other tubular member, an integral longitudinal projection extending longitudinally beyond the normal or predominant longitudinal limit of the body of said other tubular member, said projection rendering the overall length of said other tubular member at least as great as the longitudinal spacing between locating limits; any possible end play between these members is thus resiliently loaded by said longitudinal projection.

In the forms to be described, the longitudinal projection is formed on the outer tubular member. Said outer tubular member has a helical cam slot terminating short Patented July 2, 1957 ICC 2. of the limits of the outer tubular member. Said outer tubular member is thus locally longitudinally-weaker resiliently yieldable at any angular location intermediatethe, limits of said helical slot, and the longitudinal projection is formed at said locally weakened region.

Referring to Figs. l and 2 of the drawing,l my invention is shown inapplication to a cosmetic container including a carrier or cup lll longitudinally slidable within the inner (11) of `two tubularmembers 11`-15. The carrier 10 may include a cam follower 12 projecting radially through cooperating cam slots 1`3-14 on the inner andoutertubular members, respectively. The inner tubular member may be open at an end' 16 forprojection of a lipstick or the like (not shown) 4carried by the cup 10,` and-the other longitudinal end of the inner tubular member 1.1y may be formed with a base portion 17. Base portion 17 is shown to be radially enlarged with respect to the-main body of the inner tubular member 11 so as to dene a radial wall 18 constituting one longitudinal limiting orlocating means for the outer tubular member 15. The. base 17 happens to be shown integral `with member 11 and closed.

At the other longitudinal end of the inner tubular member 11 there may be formed further means, such as a circumferentially extending, radially outwardly projecting bead 19 for locating the outer tubular member 15. For assembly purposes, the cani slot 13 in the inner tubular` member 11 may be open at one end, say the end 16, as by provision` of a necked-down opening 2t).

For appearances sake, the construction maybe completed by an outer shell or casing 21 tted `to the outer tubular member and covering all slots. Locking means, such as a nib or lug'22, may be locally struck out of j the body of the casing 21 andsnapped into a correspondf ing slot 23 in the outer tubular member l15. Thellppcr end of the casing is shown to overlap the 'bead '19. and to include @radially-inwardly extending lip Y24 overstandf ing the upperedge ofthe inner tubular member 11.

In conventional cosmetic-container construction, the outer tubular member or sleeve 15 is of an over-all longitudnal length L2 short of the longitudinal` spacing L; ybetween locatng means 18-19, thereby providing freedom for relative rotation of the parts. Because of manufacturing tolerances, it is necessary to vspecify this over-all length L2 of the sleeve 15 lconsiderably short of the specified spacing L1 between locatingrneans 1S-T19, .and this can entail `inherent end play, as `between the assembly 15-21 and the inner tubular member 111, causillgzundesirable rattle ofthe parts.

In accordance with `the invention, I-avoid diiculties due to end play by providingY an integral` abnormal longitudinal projection or foot 25 in the outer tubular memberV or sleeve 15 at a locally longitudinally resilient part thereof. For this purpose, aspecial transversely extending slot may be provided in line with the projection, .but for the arrangement shown, the inherent properties of the sleeve 15 are used. With the arrangement shown, the outer member or sleeve 15 is seen-to be rolled up from a at piece of stock, cut asshown in Fig. 3. The;helicat slot 15 may be a diagonal piercing extending short ofthe outer limits of member 15, so that, at angular locations at or close to the limits of the slot 14, the sleevelS is relatively non-resilient or `non-yieldable in the longitudinal sense. However, because of the .great extent-of slot 14, there is, intermediate the ends of the slot 14, an inherently longitudinally resilient or yieldablevsection of the sleeve 15. This property is most pronounced at the location midway along the slot 14, and at this location I show formation of the rigid integral longitudinal vprojection or foot 25. The normal b ody of sleeve 15 is, as previously described, `preferably short of the Ilongitudinal spacing L1 between limits 18,-19, but the added length ALZ provided by the projection 25 is such, in the unstressed condition, as to render the over-all longitudinal extent of sleeve at least as great as and preferably slightly in excess of the longitudinal spacing L1 between locating limits 18-19. Thus, on assembly of the parts, projection 25 will ride one (18) of the locating limits and, regardless of dimensional variations within manufacturing tolerances, a smooth fit of the parts will be obtained, free of end play.

I have found that the provision of projection 25 permits more precise assembly of the casing 21 to the sleeve 15, in that the locking means 22-23 may be more detinitely referenced to the inner tubular member 11 by way of the bead 19, thus assuring a maximum depth of skirt for the casing 21 without danger that the same will ride or mar the shoulder 18, or that the lip 24 will ride the open end 16 of the inner tubular member. I prefer that the slot or opening 23, for receiving the nib 22, shall be substantially at the angular location of the projection 25, and that it shall be on the side of the slot 14 opposite from the projection 25. I also prefer that the projection 25 shall ride the locating projection 18 opposite that (19) containing the open end of the slot 13, thus assuring smooth operation regardless of angular position of the parts.

In Figs. 4 and 5, I show application of my invention to another form of container, wherein the slot 3d on the inner tubular member 31 is open at the lower or base end, rather than at the upper or open end of the container. The inner Vtubular member 31 happens to be open at both ends,n and at the base end said inner tubular member 31 is formed with a radial shoulder 32, constituting one of the locating projections for the outer tubular member or sleeve 33; it is in said shoulder 32 that the slot 30 is open, as at 30', to permit assembly of the carrier 34 and follower 35, as will be understood. Thus, in Fig. 4, the bead 36 for locating the upper end of the sleeve 33 may be truly circumferentially continuous, whereas the shoulder 32 is discontinuous, at least at the location of opening 30'. For smooth operation, therefore, I provide an outer tubular member or sleeve 15 of the configuration described for Fig. 1, but assembled reversed-that is, with the projection at the upper rather than at the lower end of the container, so as to ride Vthe smooth projection 36 rather than the interrupted projection 32.

Remaining parts of the construction may be conventional and include an outer casing 37 fitted to the sleeve 33, as by a locking nib 38 engaging a slot 39, again preferably on the opposite side of the helical cam slot 40 from projection 25. The base may have a more dressed appearance by applying a sleeve or ferrule 41 tightly over the hub 42 of the base and in slight clearance relation, as at 43, with the casing 37. The open end of the base may be closed by a cap or plug 44 press-fitted inside the hub 42.

In connection with the forms discussed above, I have indicated my preference for assembling the sleeve 15 to the container in such orientation that the projection 25 will ride the unbroken locating ridge or shoulder (18 in Fig. l; 36 in Fig. 4). This need not be necessary if care is taken in the formation of the crown of projection 25. In Fig, 6, I illustrate formation of the crown of projection 25 with an elongated flat, at least adequate to span the widest open slot it may have to cross, as sug gested at With the crown thus formed, smooth operation may be achieved even if projection 25 has to ride over a slot opening.

It will be seen that I have described a relatively simple mechanism adaptable to conventional lipstick or the like containers for assuredly eliminating end play or rattle of the parts. This is 'achieved without adding to the number of parts, and my arrangement makes possible a more precise assembly of the parts. Also, I achieve these results without impairing snap-action mechanisms for free-swiveling cooperation of the parts as described in my Patents 2,545,848, 2,545,849, and 2,545,864.

While I have described the invention in detail for the preferred forms shown, it will be understood that modiiications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow.

I claim:

l. In a cosmetic container or the like, a carrier, inner and outer tubular members with cooperating cam grooves coacting with said carrier to propel said carrier upon relative rotation upon said tubular members, two longitudinally spaced and circumferentially extending outward projections on said inner tubular member for longitudinally locating said outer tubular member, the predominant longitudinal extent of said outer tubular member being short of the spacing of said projections, said outer tubular member :raving formed therein 'a helically progressing cam slot terminating short of the limits of said outer tubular member, whereby said outer tubular member is longitudinally resilient at an angular location intermediate the ends of said slot, and an integral longitudinal projection on said outer tubular member at said angular location and extending directly longitudinally at said angular location beyond the predominant longitudinal extent of said outer tubular member by an amount determining an over-all length of said outer tubular member at least as great as the longitudinal spacing between said projections, said longitudinal projection riding one of said circumferentially extending outward projections, and said one projection being circumferentially continuous.

2. In a cosmetic container or the like, a carrier, two tubular members surrounding said carrier and having formed therein cooperating cam slots for propelling said carrierupon relative rotation of said tubular members, the inner tubular member having at longitudinally spaced locations two circumferentially extending radial projections for longitudinally locating the limits of said outer tubular member, the slot of said inner tubular member being open at one end and thus effectively rendering discontinuous the circumferential projection at said one end, the other of said circumferential projections being circumferentially continuous, said outer tubular member having a body of predominant longitudinal length short of the spacing between said projections and having at `one angular location a longitudinally resiliently weakened portionwith an integral longitudinal projection extending beyond the body of said outer tubular member to an extent creating an over-'til longitudinal length of said outer tubular member at least as great as the spacing between said projections, said integral longitudinal projection being on the longitudinal end opposite that end at which the slot on the inner tubular member is open, whereby said integral projection may smoothly and continuously ride on the adjacent circumferentially continuous radial projection regardless of the relative angular position of said tubular members.

3. In a cosmetic container or the like, an inner tubular member having an opening at one longitudinal end and a base at the other longitudinal end, an outer tubular member encompassing said inner tubular member and rotatable relatively thereto, a carrier in said inner tubular member, said tubular members having cam slots cooperating to propel said carrier upon relative rotation of said tubular members, said inner tubular mem-ber having circumferentially extending radial projections at said open end and at said base end, said projection at the base end being circumferentially continuous, the cam slot in said inner tubular member being open at said open end and therefore rendering the radial projection at said open end locally discontinuous, said outer tubular member having a body of predominant longitudinal extent less than the longitudinal spacing between said radial projections, and said outer tubular member having vat one angular location a longitudinally resiliently yieldable portion with an integral longitudinal projection extending longitudinally beyond the predominant extent of said body by an amount creating, in the unstressed condition, an over-al1 longitudinal length of said outer tubular member at least as great as the longitudinal spacing between said radial projections, said tubular members being assembled with said integral longitudinal projection disposed at the base end of said container, whereby said longitudinal projection continuously and smoothly rides said circumferentially continuous radial projection.

4. In a cosmetic container or the like, an inner tubular member having an opening at one longitudinal end and a base at the other longitudinal end, an outer tubular member encompassing said inner tubular member and rotatable relatively thereto, a carrier in said inner tubular member, said tubular members having cam slots cooperating to propel said carrier upon relative rotation of said tubular members, said inner tubular member having circumferentially extending radial projections at said open end and at said base end, the cam slot in said inner tubular member being open 'at said base end and therefore rendering the radial projection at said base end locally discontinuous, said outer tubular member having a body of predominant longitudinal extent less than the longitudinal spacing between said radial projections, and said outer tubular member having at one angular location a longitudinally resiliently yieldable portion with an integral longitudinal projection extending longitudinally beyond the predominant extent of said body by an amount creating, in the unstressed condition, an over-all longitudinal length of said outer tubular member at least as gre-at as the longitudinal spacing between said radial projections, said tubular members being assembled with said integral longitudinal projection disposed at the open end of said container.

5. In a cosmetic container or the like, a carrier, an inner tubular member having an open end through which cosmetic on said carrier may be projected, an outer tubular member, said tubular members having cooperating cam slots propelling said carrier upon relative rotation, two longitudinally spaced and circumferentially extending radial projections on said inner tubular member for longitudinally locating said outer tubular member, an outer shell tted over said outer tubular member and including at said open end a radially inwardly extending lip overlapping said open end of said inner tubular member, said outer tubular member having formed therein a helical cam slot terminating short of the limits of said outer tubular member, whereby said outer tubular member is longitudinally resilient at an angular location intermediate the ends of said helical slot, said outer tubular member having only at said intermediate angular location a limited longitudinal projection extending beyond the predominant longitudinal extent of the body of said outer tubular member at one end thereof to determine an over-all longitudinal extent for said outer tubular member at least as great as the longitudinal spacing between said radial projections, said longitudinal projection continuously and smoothly riding the adjacent radial projection for all relative angular positions of said inner and outer tubular members, and means at said angular location lockingly engaging said shell to said outer tubular member.

6. A container according to claim 5, in which said locking engagement means is located longitudinally between said helical cam slot and the other end of said outer tubular member.

7. In a cosmetic container or the like, a carrier, two tubular members with cooperating cam means to propel said carrier on relative rotation, the cam means on the inner tubular member being a slot open at one longitudinal end to permit assembly of the carrier thereto, two longitudinally spaced circumferentially extending locating means on said inner tubular member, and means on said outer tubular member continuously riding both said locating means, one of said last-defined means including a foot longitudinally yieldably carried by said outer tubular member and having a surface to ride the adjacent radial projection over an angular extent at least as great as the width of said slot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,849,531 Lyhne Mar. 15, 1932 2,072,662 Abbotts Mar. 2, 1937 2,302,473 Reichenbach Nov. 17, 1942 2,545,864 Thompson et al. Mar. 20, 1951 2,630,215 Lynn Mar. 3, 1953 

